Water toy

ABSTRACT

A water toy including a fish model attached to a boat model by means of an electrical cord having the configuration of a fishing pole and a fishing line. The boat model includes a battery and switch for transmitting electrical energy through the fishing pole and line to a motor disposed within the fish model for rotating a propeller arranged near the tail fine of the fish model. The motion imparted to the fish model by the rotating propeller flexes the fishing rod and line so that it appears that the fish is struggling to get off the fishing line, and at the same time the motion is transmitted to the boat for propelling the boat through the water.

nited States Patent Muto [451 Jan. 18,1972

[ 1 WATER TOY [21] Appl. No.: 75,806

[51 Int. Cl A63h 33/26, A63h 23/00 [58] Field of Search 46/91, 92, 93,243 M [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,909,868 10/1959Lewis ..46/92 X 9/1961 McAda ..46/92X 7/1962 Stenzel ..46/243M PrimaryExaminer-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-Robert F. CuttingAttorney-Irving M. Weiner [5 7] ABSTRACT A water toy including a fishmodel attached to a boat model by means of an electrical cord having theconfiguration of a fishing pole and a fishing line. The boat modelincludes a battery and switch for transmitting electrical energy throughthe fishing pole and line to a motor disposed within the fish model forrotating a propeller arranged near the tail fine of the fish model. Themotion imparted to the fish model by the rotating propeller fiexes thefishing rod and line so that it appears that the fish is struggling toget off the fishing line, and at the same time the motion is transmittedto the boat for propelling the boat through the water.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures YATENTEBMIIBIM 3,634,968

INVENTOR HIDEHIKO Muro 2% ATTORNEY WATER TOY The present inventionrelates to a toy adapted to float on a liquid. In particular, theinvention relates to a water toy which is capable of floating on thewater in a bath, pool, pond, stream, etc., and wherein it is possible'tocontrol the fishing motion between a fish model and a boat model whichare fastened together by means of a fishing line and a fishing rodformed from a flexible electrical cord.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a toy includinga first article, such as a fish model, which is at least partiallyfloatable in a liquid. There is also provided a second article, such asa boat model, which is also at least partially floatable in a liquid.First means disposed within the first article moves the first articlerelative to the liquid when the first means is energized. Second meansdisposed within the second article supplies energy to the first means tooperate the first means. Third means, which may take the form of afishing rod and a fishing line, interconnects the first and secondarticles, interconnects the first and second means, and is soconstructed and arranged as to transmit motion from said first articleto said second article.

The invention provides a novel water toy which effectively utilizes asimulated fishing action between a fish model and a boat model which areinterconnected by a flexible electric cord. A manikin of a fisherman isaffixed in the boat model and the manikin is grasping the fishing rodwhich is formed from said flexible electric cord.

The fish model contains a motor and a propeller which is affixed to themotor shaft. One end of the flexible electric cord is connected to thefish model, and the other end of the electric cord is connected to theboat model. The portion of the flexible electric cord at the end nearthe boat model is formed in the shape of a fishing rod which is harderthan the portion of the electric cord near the fish'model which isformed in the shape of a fishing line. Consequently, the fishing lineportion is capable of bending more easily than the fishing rod portion.

The boat model does not contain its own motor power system. In the boatmodel, a fisherman manikin is affixed as if a fisherman is sitting on astool or seat in the boat. When the fish and the boat are floated onwater, the fish is moved by the rotation of the propeller which causesthe fish to run about in the water in opposition to the boat model. Whenenergized, it appears as if the fish is caught by the fishing hook whichclings to the extreme point of the fishing line, and the fishing lineand the fishing rod between the fish and the boat are pulled tightly attimes. Accordingly, it looks as if the fish is resisting the tightenedfishing line with a struggle.

An object of the invention is to provide a fishing rod and a fishingline which is made of a flexible electric cord connected between thehands of the fisherman manikin on the boat and the operuculum part ofthe fish model. The flexible electric cord is divided into two portions.One portion takes the form of a fishing rod which is constructed byreinforcing the flexible electric cord near the boat model. The otherportion takes the form of a fishing line which is constructed withoutany reinforcement by the common flexible electric cord adjacent the fishmodel, which fishing line is able to bend freely in accordance with thepropelled motion of the fish. It should be noted that the inventionincludes the models of the boat and the fish connected by the flexibleelectric cord as indicated above, and that the boat is driven so as torush about loudly by the propeller motion of the fish as it will appearmore clearly hereinafter.

When the fish model is acted upon by the motor-driven propeller, thefishing line is tightened but is able to bend easily and consequentlythe fish moves about in the water to the extent which the flexiblefishing line and the reinforced part of the flexible cord are able tobend freely. The appearance given is that the fish is swimming andrushing about wildly in the water. Actually, motion is imparted to theboat model by the fish model which is driven by the motor-drivenpropeller. It

appears as if the manikin of the boat is lifting up the big fish, andthe conditions between the fish and the boat devote much interest in theobserver, especially to children.

Another object of the invention is to provide a water toy of simplifiedconstruction wherein the propeller system is disposed only in the fishmodel. The battery and the power switch are arranged in the boat model,and it is the battery and the power switch in the boat model whichprovide the motor force to the motor in the fish model through theconnection of the flexible electric cord between the fish and boatmodels. Accordingly, the construction and the electric circuit of thetoy are extremely simple with a consequent inexpensive selling price andease of mass production.

The invention consists of a boat and a fish in which a propeller isdriven by a motor. In the boat there is space for fitting the batteryand a power switch which is connected in series with the battery and tothe flexible cord. The flexible electric cord has a predeterminedsuitable length. One end of the flexible electric cord is connected tothe terminal of the motor in the fish, and the fish is constructed tomaintain sealing contact with the plastic fish model such that thecontents of the fish model remain waterproof. The output extreme pointof the motor shaft in the fish takes the fonn of a propeller whichprojects out of the caudal fin portion of the fish model.

When the switch is placed in the on condition for the power source,electric power is fed to the motor circuit through the flexible cordfrom the battery. The motor in the fish model begins to rotate, therebydriving the propeller fixed to the motor shaft, and the fish model isdriven about in the water. The electric flexible cord connected betweenthe boat model and the fish model consists of a fishing rod and afishing line. The fishing rod is reinforced with a thin metallic wire ormetallic tube which is connected to the boat model. Consequently, thisportion of the electric cord is hard to bend in comparison with theremainder of the electric cord. The extreme point of the fishing rod isgrasped or affixed by the hands of the manikin seated in the boat model,and it appears as if a fisherman is grasping the fishing rod in hishands.

When the boat model is floated on the water with the switch in the offcondition, the fish model connected to the boat model through theflexible electric cord sinks lower in the water. However, when theswitch in the boat model is put in the off condition, the propellerafiixed to the motor shaft begins to rotate and the fish model is drivenby this rotation to the extent that the flexible fishing rod and lineare capable of bending.

As indicated above, the flexible electric cord consists of a fishingline which is able to bend freely, and a fishing rod which is slightlyharder than the fishing line. Accordingly, these parts of the flexiblecord are able to bend and move about to accommodate all directions onthe water due to the fishing action.

When the fish model is driven by the motor, the fish model swims aboutin the water and pulls the boat model on the water, and the fishing rodis bent. In addition, the fish model tends to go around the boat modelpivoting about the fishing rod. Because of the greater flexibility ofthe fishing line, the fish model is turned over against the tension ofthe flexible cord. In addition, the action between the propeller and thewater wave results in a variable motion of the fish model, and the boatmodel is also taken everywhere on the water and moves about so as toresist against the tension of the fishing line. In order to increase oraccentuate the struggling motion of the fish model in all directions,the fish model is provided with various fins which are formed so as totwist the fish model as it swims about in its indefinite directions. Bythe cooperation of the twisting motion, the force of the propellermotion, the tension in the fishing rod portion, and the freely bendingcapability of the fishing line, the fish model is driven about inindefinite directions with various motions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of afirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal side elevational view, partly in section, whichillustrates the mechanics of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial plan view showing the twisted caudal finof the fish model according to the present inventron.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B illustrate sectional views of differentmodifications of the reinforced flexible electric cord.

FIG. 5 is a sketch of the electrical circuit of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENTINVENTION With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first embodiment of thepresent invention may include the first article, such as a fish model20, which is at least partially floatable in a liquid. There is alsoincluded a second article, such as a boat model 10, which is at leastpartially floatable in a liquid. The first means, including the motor21, a motor shaft 22 and a propeller 23, is disposed within the fishmodel 20 for moving the fish model 20 relative to the liquid when thefirst means is energized. The second means, such as a battery 14, 15 anda switch 19, are disposed within the boat model for supplying energy tothe motor 21 to operate the motor 21. The third means, such as aflexible electric cord 24, interconnects the fish model 20 and the boatmodel 10.

The boat model 10 may be constructed of any suitable material, such as aplastic material, and may be fabricated by the setup or casting process.The boat model 10 need not contain its own motive for driving system.The boat model 10 includes a bottom 11 to which is affixed a containerbox 12 for accommodating or housing the battery 14, 15. In the interiorof the container box 12, the two terminals of the battery 14, areconnected to the flexible electric cord 24. The battery 14, 15 isprotected by a cover 13 which is maintained in sealing contact on thecontainer box 12. When it becomes necessary to change the battery 14, 15for a new one, cover 13 is easily taken apart.

A stool 16 is affixed to the back of the container box 12 in the boatmodel 10. The stool 16 is disposed at the proper seat height, and mayextend across the entire width of the boat model 10.

The manikin 17, which may be formed of plastic material, is affixed onthe stool 16 in the boat model 10 as if a fisherman is sitting down onthe stool 16. The hands of the manikin 17 are separately vertically fromeach other, and the lower part of a fishing rod 25 is grasped by thebending tip of the fingers of the manikin 17. An elongated hole 18 isbored at one side of the stool 16. A switch push rod 19 for actuatingswitch projects out of the interior of stool 16 through the elongatedhole 18 at the side of the stool 16. The switch acted upon by the pushrod 19 is connected to the battery circuit and completes a seriescircuit through the battery 14, 15 located in the boat model 10 forplacing the motor 21 in the fish model 20 in an on or off condition.

The fish model 20 is fabricated cubically out of plastic material in theshape of an actual or genuine fish. The fish model 20 is constructed soas to maintain a sealing or waterproof contact, and the interior of theplastic fish model 20 is essentially empty space. The motor 21 isdisposed in this space. The extreme point of a motor shaft 22 projectsout of the caudal fin 20A and 20B of the plastic fish model 20. At thisextreme output point of the motor shaft 22 there is affixed a propeller23 for driving the fish model 20.

The waterproof and flexible electric cord 24 is connected to the batterycircuit through the switch and is also connected to each of the motorterminals. It is preferable to use a thin flexible and waterproofplastic covered cord for the electric cord 24. The circuit whichcontains the battery 14, 15 the switch 19 and the motor 21 is formed byusing this flexible electric cord.

When the switch 19 on the boat model 10 is in the on condition, themotor 21 begins to rotate and at the same time the screw propeller 23which is affixed to the extreme point of the motor shaft 22 also beginsto rotate. The flexible electric cord 24 is led to the interior of thefish model 20 through the nostril or the operculum portion of the fish.The part of the electric cord 24 in the shape of the fishing rod 25 ishard to bend in comparison with another part 26 of the flexible electriccord 26. The extreme lower point of the fishing rod 25 is afiixedbetween the bending fingers of the manikin 17 so it looks as if thefisherman is grasping the fishing rod 25 with his hands.

The fish model 20 has two caudal fins 20A and 208 at the upper and lowerportions of the caudal appendage, respectively, a dorsal fin 20C at theback ofit, an anal fin 20D at the part of the anus, and two pectoralfins 20E and 20F which are spread downwardly from each other at bothsides of the chest of the fish. Each of the aforementioned fins areformed so as to work as a rudder when the fish is moving. This isespecially true of the caudal fin 20A and the lower caudal fin 208 whichare spread upwardly and downwardly from each other and are twisted inopposite directions respectively as illustrated in FIG. 3. When the fishmodel 20 is moved by the screw propeller 23 in the water, the uppercaudal fin 20A and the lower caudal fin 20B act as rudders. This resultsin the fish model 20 being driven in various directions and swims aboutto the flexible extent that the fishing rod can reach. The reinforcedfishing rod 25 acts to pull the fish model 20 so that the fish model 20does not go outside of the aforementioned extent in the water. At timesthe fishing rod 25 is bent like a bow, and consequently the movingaction of the fish model 20 is controlled in a predetermined finitearea.

In addition, the portion of the flexible electric cord 24 at the side ofthe boat model is reinforced in a suitable length at the portion wherethe fishing rod 25 is formed. However, another portion 26 of theflexible electric cord 24 near the fish model 20 is not reinforced. Thisportion is fonned as the fishing line 26, and the fishing line 26 iscapable of bending freely in response to the motion of the fish model20.

To form the fishing rod 25, the flexible electric cord 24 at the side ofthe boat model 10 may be covered with a hard tube 27 which is notcapable of bending freely and easily as illustrated in FIG. 4A.Alternatively, a suitably long wire 28 may be held along the part of theflexible fishing rod 24, and then covered with a waterproof insulatingtape 29 which is rolled over the wire and the flexible card 24, asillustrated in FIG. 48. Consequently, the wire or the tube and the partflexible electric cord 24 are formed as an integral body of the fishingrod 25.

I claim:

1. A toy comprising, in combination:

a first article which is at least partially floatable in a liquid;

a second article which is at least partially floatable in a liquid;

first means disposed within said first article for moving said firstarticle relative to said liquid when said first means is energized;

second means disposed within said second article for supplying energy tosaid first means to operate said first means; and

third means interconnecting said first and second articles,

interconnecting said first and second means, and being so constructedand arranged as to transmit motion from said first article to saidsecond article.

2. A toy characterized substantially in accordance with claim 1, whereinsaid first means includes a motor, a rotatable motor shaft, and apropeller affixed to said motor shaft; and said second means includes asource of electrical energy and a switch for selectively applying saidelectrical energy through said third means to said motor.

3. A toy characterized substantially in accordance with claim 1, whereinsaid first article includes a fish model.

4y A toy characterized substantially in accordance with claim 1. whereinsaid second article includes a boat model.

5. A toy characterized substantially in accordance with claim 1.wherein:

said first article includes a fish model;

said second article includes a boat model;

said first means including a motor, a motor shaft, and a propelleraffixed to said motor shaft such that said propeller projects out of thecaudal portion of said fish model;

said second means including a switch and an electrical battery which isconnected to said motor; and

said third means is formed in the shape of a fishing rod and a fishingline including a flexible electrical cord which is electricallyconnected between said motor and said battery through said switch.

6. A toy characterized substantially in accordance with claim 5,including a manikin affixed in said boat model, and wherein the part ofsaid flexible electrical cord at the side of the boat model isreinforced and forms said fishing rod, said fishing rod being grasped bysaid manikin on said boat model, and the part of said flexible electriccord near said fish model is bent freely and forms said fishing line.

7. A toy characterized substantially in accordance with claim 5, whereinsaid fish model is provided with fins which act as a rudder.

8. A toy characterized substantially in accordance with claim 6, whereinsaid fishing rod is covered with a tube which is substantially hard ascompared with said fishing line.

9. A toy characterized substantially in accordance with claim 6, whereinsaid reinforced fishing rod includes a hard wire which is made integralwith said portion of said flexible electrical cord by rolling waterproofmaterial over said hard wire and said portion of said flexible electriccord.

10. A toy characterized substantially in accordance with claim 7,wherein said fins include an upper caudal fin and a lower caudal finwhich are twisted in opposite directions to each other adjacent thecaudal portion of said fish model.

1. A toy comprising, in combination: a first article which is at leastpartially floatable in a liquid; a second article which is at leastpartially floatable in a liquid; first means disposed within said firstarticle for moving said first article relative to said liquid when saidfirst means is energized; second means disposed within said secondarticle for supplying energy to said first means to operate said firstmeans; and third means interconnecting said first and second articles,interconnecting said first and second means, and being so constructedand arranged as to transmit motion from said first article to saidsecond article.
 2. A toy characterized substantially in accordance withclaim 1, wherein said first means includes a motor, a rotatable motorshaft, and a propeller affixed to said motor shaft; and said secondmeans includes a source of electrical energy and a switch forselectively applying said electrical energy through said third means tosaid motor.
 3. A toy characterized substantially in accordance withclaim 1, wherein said first article includes a fish model.
 4. A toycharacterized substantially in accordance with claim 1, wherein saidsecond article includes a boat model.
 5. A toy characterizedsubstantially in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said first articleincludes a fish model; said second article includes a boat model; saidfirst means including a motor, a motor shaft, and a propeller affixed tosaid motor shaft such that said propeller projects out of the caudalportion of said fish model; said second means including a switch and anelectrical battery which is connected to said motor; and said thirdmeans is formed in the shape of a fishing rod and a fishing lineincluding a flexible electrical cord which is electrically connectedbetween said motor and said battery through said switch.
 6. A toycharacterized substantially in accordance with claim 5, including amanikin affixed in said boat model, and wherein the part of saidflexible electrical cord at the side of the boat model is reinforced andforms said fishing rod, said fishing rod being grasped by said manikinon said boat model, and the part of said flexible electric cord nearsaid fish model is bent freely and forms said fishing line.
 7. A toycharacterized substantially in accordance with claim 5, wherein saidfish model is provided with fins which act as a rudder.
 8. A toycharacterized substantially in accordance with claim 6, wherein saidfishing rod is covered with a tube which is substantially hard ascompared with said fishing line.
 9. A toy characterized substantially inaccordance with claim 6, wherein said reinforced fishing rod includes ahard wire which is made integral with said portion of said flexibleelectrical cord by rolling waterproof material over said hard wire andsaid portion of said flexible electric cord.
 10. A toy characterizedsubstantially in accordance with claim 7, wherein said fins include anupper caudal fin and a lower caudal fin which are twisted in oppositedirections to each other adjacent the caudal portion of said fish model.